Proud as Punch!!!
Posted by Deb Quintessa on January 15th, 2010This was a big week for us. Our first two events were launched in the starry skies above our SL® sim, Los Arboles, and the feedback has been phenomenal.
The Method to Our Madness (Part I)
Posted by Deb Quintessa on January 2nd, 2010
I learned early on, that a ‘flying-by-the-seat-of-our-pants’ approach was not going to work for us in Los Arboles. This realization was the result of a series of virtual world experiences marked by a lot of trial and error. Those trials were mostly instigated by my good old buddy Van; but, that’s a whole other story.
While an experimental approach is great for developing virtual world building skills, such a method would not be feasible at Los Arboles for two key reasons:
The Three Musketeers!
Posted by Deb Quintessa on December 17th, 2009I consider myself to be very fortunate. I am collaborating with two terrific avatars in SL who just happen to be guided by real people with exemplary integrity and exquisite talent.
Avatar Van Hoffnung is an accomplished builder in virtual worlds. Developed in real life through hands-on experience and the school of hard knocks, his mechanical and spatial aptitudes are matched by a serious commitment to make virtual world experiences as ’real’ and believeable as possible. An accomplished top notch builder in virtual worlds, Van is the chief architect and general contractor for all building projects for our Los Arboles SIM.
Oh Crap!
Posted by Deb Quintessa on December 17th, 2009
He dubbed himself the ‘Idiot-In-Chief’ of Edloe, Nowhereville, Harbour and Los Arboles Islands and is reputed to be the linchpin responsible for attracting scores of avatars to a bunch of adjacent sims and somehow cobbling together a community.
I was hooked from our first meeting when he met with me and Trill and Van at Van’s Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 (at our Upper Dryston 1/4 SIM) to explore our interest to occupy/rent his Los Arboles SIM. We knew, from that moment, he would leave an enduring mark on our virtual world experience. Read the rest of this entry »
In the Beginning …
Posted by Deb Quintessa on December 16th, 2009In the beginning, our new SIM was without form. It was an empty and 
undeveloped plot of land measuring 65,536 square meters and able to accommodate up to 75 avatars and 15,000 PRIMS all at the same time.
Our lot (Los Arboles) is located next to Woodbridge and Orcahorse, two lush green peaceful sims located above us to the North. 
Along our West coast are Edloe, Nowhereville, and BlaksleeWorld – three sims that constitute a potpourri of parcels and islands sporting a clock tree, a dog-bone-shaped building, a blue space-needle-futuristicy structure, a rustic fishing lodge with a yak on top (don’t ask!), and an oversized gumball machine. (The Elvis sign and revolving toilet that were spinning over two other structures seem to be gone now.)
Along our Eastern and Southern shores are wide open undeveloped pristine waters with clear and unobstructed horizons as far as the eye can see.
Synchronicity: To Voice or Not To Voice? That is the Question.
Posted by Debbie Newman on October 27th, 2009It should be a virtual world law: When delivering synchronous programming in a virtual world, the presenter/facilitator ABSOLUTELY MUST use voice chat. To me this seems obvious. But in case it isn’t obvious to you, let me tell you now: don’t even think about delivering your presentation in text chat or by IM.
I’ve sent my Avatar, Deb Quintessa, to hundreds of learning events in SecondLife®. Most of them are delivered through voice chat and are supplemented with the voiced and IM-ed comments from learners, spectators, and other participants. Examples:
Twins, Separated at Birth?
Posted by Deb Quintessa on October 5th, 2009So there I was, minding my own business at one of those Train for Success meetings, and I noticed another Avatar who looked just like me!!! Imagine my shock. She not only wore the same pink polka dot dress, but had the same hair style as mine!!!
Looks like one of us needs an image consultant; and, since I got here first, I think it should be her!!! I wonder where Avatars go to shop. I have no money. I don’t even know how to earn it. Guess I’ll need to ask my real person (RP) Debbie for an allowance.
Maybe we’re triplets … or sextuplets. Everywhere I look I see Avatars that look just like me. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
Designing Learning for Virtual Worlds – Common Senses
Posted by Debbie Newman on September 30th, 2009When I design classroom-based instruction, I get to focus almost entirely on learning content and process. Rarely do I need to concern myself with basic skills of daily living — how to ‘be’ in the world — unless, of course, I’m designing basic life skills curricula. This is not true when designing learning experiences for virtual worlds (VWs).
I Wasn’t Drunk and I Don’t Do Drugs!!!
Posted by Deb Quintessa on September 30th, 2009OK, so I fell off a bridge and into the water. It happens. I also crashed into a building, landed on another Avatar, and tumbled off a mountain path, plummeting down a cliff to what I was sure would be my death. One of my most shining moments was when I attempted to take a seat in an auditorium and fell off the bleachers in front of the 50+ other Avatars in attendance. One thing for sure, I made an impression and was noticed. (There are a lot of smart-ass Avatars going to business meetings in SL!!!)
Have You Got the Power?
Posted by Debbie Newman on September 14th, 2009It will certainly come as no surprise that designing immersive learning experiences in SecondLife® (the virtual world where my Avatar resides) requires creative vision, instructional design skills, and technical competencies. However, none of these talents will come into play in SL if you don’t also have the POWER.
